Fabulous Truffles
 
You have got to make these.  Here is the nutritional information on each truffle.  Making the truffles as the recipe reads for 1 truffle,  the calories are 118g; 6g fat; 1g fiber.  If you use non-fat cream cheese, the calories are 111g; 4.8g fat and 1g fiber.  You do the math and you’ll see how many points they are. It’s a very satisfying and somewhat “decadent” truffle.
I have not made them with fat free cream cheese, if someone does, please let us know how they were.  I am going to experiment with white chocolate, different sprinkles, and different extracts and will keep you posted.  Oh go ahead, be a tester and make them!!!!
 
You will need for 42 truffles:
1 package (1lb 2oz) bag of a chocolate cream cookies like Lite Oreo cookies (set 9 of them aside for the first step)
1 package (8 oz)  of lite cream cheese, softened  
2 packages (8 oz each) of semi-sweet baking chocolate, melted. See below on a tip for melting the chocolate)
 
FIRST STEP:  Take 9 of the cookies you set aside, and crush them to a fine crumb mixture.  Using your food processor is a very good idea.  If you don’t have one, then put them in a plastic baggie and use a rolling pin to crush.  Roll!! Roll!!! Roll!!  Just kidding, it’s not that difficult. Set the mixture aside. You will use it later.
 
SECOND STEP:  take the remaining 36 cookies (no eating you need 36 cookies) and put them in your food processor.  Again, crush to a fine mixture.  Or the old rolling pin method.
 
THIRD STEP:  Put the 36 crushed cookie mixture into a bowl.  Add the softened cream cheese and mix it well until it has blended with the cookie mixture.  I used a fork to help me then a spoon.  You have to get all the crumbs into the cream cheese.  Make 42 balls, each one in a 1” diameter.
 
FOURTH STEP:  TIP on melting chocolate.  I put in a bowl and into the microwave oven for 30 seconds on high.  I give it a stir with a spoon.  If needed, another 25 seconds and again a stir.  Need more time?  Cook 10 seconds at a time and stir after each time.  
 
DIP the balls in the chocolate.  I used 2 forks to help roll the truffel around in the chocolate.  Plus, it allows any extra chocolate to drip between the tines of the fork.  Place the balls on either parchment paper or wax paper.  Sprinkle them with the remaining cookie mixture.
 
REFRIGERATE for 1 hour.  You can also store them in the refrigerator, covered.  
This is a Kraft recipe, however, I also got it from 12 year boy at a party this summer and he said he had been making them for a long time. He made them like a brownie.  I also had a friend tell me about them last year.  So, it does get around.  Now you get to have the recipe.  These would make great gifts.  You can find very cute candy boxes at Michales to package them.  Enjoy.  
 
I will post a few of the recipes from my Saturday Cooking Class on Monday evening.  So stay tuned I know you will love them.
 
 
 
Fabulous Truffles
Sunday, September 17, 2006
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